I received a copy of his on netgalley in exchange for my honest review. There were some interesting ideas behind this story but I didn’t find the execution successful. The story and characters were over the top and not believable. The writing style was not bad but the characters were all so extreme they were caricuatures of people instead of characters to relate to. The events are unrealistic beyond the initial attack on Emily’s family. The book addresses some important topics like teen runaways, mental health, sexual assault, and racism but instead of making the reader think it felt like they were being highlighted simply to say they were there. Overall I wouldn’t recommend this one and I won’t be reading the second novel when it comes out.

'The Hiding Girl' by Dorian Box drew me in immediately. 12 year old Emily Calby's life changes in the blink of an eye. She finds herself on the run, scared, constantly looking over her shoulder and trying to block out everything that just happened to her and her family.

She goes from a well behaved, obedient child to a thief, a liar and a kid who can clearly fend for herself in extreme circumstances, but make no mistake. She is no dummy. Emily meets a man named Lucas in Memphis, who couldn't be more different from her. She is Southern, white, and religious. He is black, former gang member and from the inner city. However, what brings them together is their loss and their need for justice. Lucas teaches her self defense and his girlfriend, Kiona, gets her in shape. The profound relationship between Lucas and Emily grows throughout the book. It was definitely my favorite part.

The character development was really strong. The twists and turns were enough to keep me guessing and engrossed. It was an intense read. I felt like I was in Emily's head sometimes and I appreciated her strong female character.

This book publishes on June 15, 2020. I can't wait to read Book 2!

Trigger Warnings - Rape (nothing explicit, but mentioned), death, cutting, PTSD with dissociative symptoms

Thank you to NetGalley and Friction Press for the eGalley copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I read this book as an ARC and I am so grateful that I was given this opportunity. Thank you @herabooks

I read this book quickly as it was so intense and I just loved Emily’s character. I couldn’t put it down.

At 12 years old, Emily finds her world completely torn apart. Two men have murdered her sister and mother. Emily is able to escape but is forced to survive in a world she has no idea how to live in. She enlists an ex-gang member to help her and together, with the help of Lucas’ girlfriend, Emily builds up her endurance. Together they embark on a journey that neither one was expecting to go on. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned and Emily is once again put in dangerous situations that test her character and her morals.

Emily is such a vivid character. She is determined to not only survive but to become stronger. As a strong female character, I admired Emily’s ability to challenge herself when faced with adversity as well as her ability to remain calm and deal with the situations she was put into. I imagine that she will be a force to recon with when she grows up.

Some of the content of this book is less than desirable, but what can you expect from a story about a 12 year old girl trying to survive on the streets. Emily, at twelve, is exposed to things and situations that should break her spirit, but they don’t, she keeps going and that is admirable.

I would expect that anyone who enjoys an intense story with interesting characters will enjoy this read.

Want something different, thrilling, exciting and all around entertaining? Then pick up "The Hiding Girl". Little Emily had a really bad month and is now on the run. During her adventures she runs into Lucas, just the right, wrong person she needs to find to help her avenge her family. Lucas and his girlfriend Kiona help and train Emily, now Alice, the best they can and 3 short weeks after finding them she is on the run again. Next stop, Louisiana. Buckle up, it is about to get exciting. Dorian Box keeps you turning the page and cheering for little, young Emily Calby, and Lucas too.

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TRIGGER WARNING: Before purchasing and reading this book, I believe it is important to let potential readers know that this book contains themes that may be triggers. These include:
- Violence Against A Child (not explicit, but still there)
- Rape - This is not detailed, but it is mentioned (including suggestions of the rape of children)
- Cutting
- Violence
- Homelessness
- D.I.D. - Dissociative Identity Disorder
- mention of suicide
- other adult themes
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Twelve year old Emily Calby is desperate, scared, and all alone. She's on the run from the men who tortured and killed her entire family; men from  whom she just barely escaped.

Emily is a white girl, with blonde hair who grew up in a middle class family and who has never had to experience racism or classism. Even though she has never thought of herself as privileged, she starts to realize just how good she had it when she meets Lucas.

Lucas is an adult, black male who lives in a poverty stricken neighborhood that experiences way too much gang violence. A previous gang member himself, Lucas knows exactly how dangerous it can be for a young, white girl to be homeless in the city. Despite his reservations, Lucas takes Emily under his wing. (This relationship is a huge part of the plot, but the way the two met and his decision to befriend Emily is extremely far-fetched. I reduced the number of stars I gave THE HIDING GIRL because of this.)

Emily is terrified that the two men from whom she had barely escaped will track her down and finish what they started. Because of this, she convinces Lucas to teach her how to kill.

Readers learn about Lucas and his past, including the fact that he used to be in a gang, and he also talks about the death of someone close to him. It is this death that is used to explain why Emily keeps seeing teddy bears attached to hydro poles in his neighborhood. The inclusion of this tidbit is based on fact. Author Dorian Box has seen these Memorial Teddy Bears in real life.

This book is a testament to the resiliency of youth, as well as the power of fear, grief, and a hunger for justice. I enjoyed the inclusion of the conversations between characters in regard to exactly what is justice, and who has the right to extract that justice. Emily must decide whether she is willing to kill the monsters who had obliterated her entire family.

There are a multitude of social themes in this book and the plot has more twists and turns than a rollercoaster. It is an enjoyable story with characters you will come to love.

THE HIDING GIRL is the first book in a brand new EMILY CALBY SERIES. The second book is due for release within the year.

I rate this book as 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐

*** Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book. ***
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I have to mention and give kudos to @Herabooks Hera is a FEMALE-LED Publisher. It is about time that women were not only in positions of power, but are also the owners and CEOs. I have bookmarked and am following Hera Books. It is important to me to celebrate and support women-led Indie businesses, especially in this unprecedented time in history when everyone on the planet is trying to #flattenthecurve and to #eradicate #Covid19

Wow... this book was heartbreaking and thrilling! I loved this story. Watching her character develop and grow throughout was an incredible journey.

This novel is one of the best I’ve read this year! The characters are so dynamic yet relatable. I loved the flow of the story. It held my attention the whole time.